Tripartite Dialogue in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to Strengthen Labour Migration Governance and Fair Recruitment

The International Labour Organization (ILO), in cooperation with its counterparts, convened a tripartite social dialogue session in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to discuss key challenges and opportunities related to labour migration governance, labour market dynamics, fair recruitment, and strengthened coordination among labour market actors. 

The session brought together representatives of the Ministries of Labour and Social Affairs, workers’ organizations and employers’ organizations from both Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, alongside representatives of the ILO and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Discussions focused on identifying practical and collective solutions through social dialogue and enhanced cooperation among the tripartite constituents and other relevant partners. 

In her opening remarks, Zakia Salah, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation between government institutions and social partners to address challenges related to labour mobility and migration, protect workers’ rights, and promote a more organized and equitable labour market. 

Ruby Al-Salem, ILO Country Coordinator in Iraq, said: “Tripartite social dialogue provides an essential platform for developing policies and practical solutions that reflect the needs of government, workers and employers. Through joint action, we can strengthen labour migration governance, promote fair recruitment and protect worker rights.” 

The session examined the current state of labour migration governance in Iraq, including challenges faced by government institutions, workers’ organizations and employers’ organizations. Participants also discussed the legal and normative framework governing labour migration and recruitment, with contributions from a group of legal advisers and the ILO technical team. 

Participants also reviewed the Code of Conduct for Fair Recruitment in the Republic of Iraq, 2022, focusing on lessons learned from its implementation during 2022–2026 and opportunities to further strengthen the application of fair recruitment principles and the protection of migrant workers. 

Wisam Chasib, ILO Technical Officer, said: “International labour standards provide a common framework for protecting rights at work, but their effective application requires dialogue and cooperation at the national level. Social dialogue brings governments, workers and employers together to translate these principles into practical policies and solutions that respond to labour market realities. This is particularly important in addressing complex issues such as labour migration, where effective governance requires both rights-based approaches and strong cooperation among the tripartite constituents.” 

The session included a tripartite discussion around four key areas: employment and the labour market; governance; rights, fair recruitment and employment; and social protection, social dialogue and institutional coordination. 

The session concluded with the identification of several priorities and practical actions that can contribute to improving labour migration governance, strengthening cooperation among relevant institutions, and advancing the implementation of fair recruitment principles in the Republic of Iraq. 

These efforts reflect the ILO’s commitment to support Iraq in advancing decent work and promoting fair and effective labour migration governance through social dialogueand cooperation with national and international partners. 

These efforts also contribute to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Iraq 2025–2029, particularly its priorities on sustainable economic development, livelihoods and employment, and good governance and rule of law. 

The initiative forms part of the activities of the project “Promoting Employment and Employability among Refugees, IDPs and Host Communities focusing on Women, PWDs, and Youths in Northern Iraq” funded by the Federal Republic of Germany and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. 

For contact 

► Raghda Muhi 

National Communication Officer 

ILO Iraq, Baghdad Office 

M: +964 790 194 6269 

E: Muhi@ilo.org